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. 2018 Jul;21(5):345-349.
doi: 10.1080/17518423.2018.1424263. Epub 2018 Jan 9.

GoFAR: improving attention, behavior and adaptive functioning in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Brief report

Claire D Coles  1   2 , Julie A Kable  1   2 , Elles Taddeo  1 , Dorothy Strickland  3
Affiliations

GoFAR: improving attention, behavior and adaptive functioning in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Brief report

Claire D Coles et al. Dev Neurorehabil. 2018 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: This brief report describes the GoFAR intervention designed to improve attention, behavior, and adaptive functioning in children with FASD, ages 5 to 10 years.

Methods: Thirty children were randomized to one of three conditions: GoFAR; FACELAND, and CONTROL; 25 completed the interventions. Over 10 sessions children and caregivers learned a metacognitive strategy (FAR) designed to improve cognitive control of behavior and adaptive functioning and practiced it during behavior analog therapy. Attention, behavior problems, and adaptive skills were measured pre- and post-intervention.

Results: From pre- to post-testing the GoFAR intervention group improved on the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA). Both intervention groups improved in Daily Living Skills.

Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrated that children with FASD and their caregivers benefit from a focused intervention designed to improve effortful control of behavior. The study suggests the need for a larger clinical trial to evaluate the intervention's effectiveness.

Keywords: Computer game; FASD; metacognitive strategies; parent training.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Mean group parent fidelity rating over the course of 5 Behavior Analog Therapy Sessions (BATS). There is significant improvement with experience but no group differences.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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